'GUN' HORROR
A DAD who died after alleged shooting and stabbing incidents on the Isle of Skye and nearby villages has been named as John MacKinnon.
The 47-year-old passed away while three others were rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a firearm was allegedly discharged at a property on Skye yesterday morning.
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Cops were initially alerted to Tarskavaig shortly before 9am after a report of a 32-year-old woman - named as Rowena Macdonald - having been seriously injured at a property.
She was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment.
A further incident at a property in nearby Teangue was then reported shortly after 9.30am after a firearm was allegedly discharged.
Emergency crews attended but Mr MacKinnon was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cops subsequently attended a property on the mainland in Dornie, Wester Ross, following a further report of a firearm discharge.
The force said a man was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for treatment to serious injuries and a woman was taken to Broadford Hospital.
Officers confirmed a 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged with Mr MacKinnon's murder and the attempted murder of three others.
Police have also said they believe the incident has been contained and there is no threat to the wider public.
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Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett, local policing commander for Highlands and Islands Division, said: “Incidents such as this are thankfully extremely rare but I understand that this will have a significant effect on the local community in these rural areas.
“I would like to reassure people that we are treating these incidents as contained with no wider threat to the public.
“There will a significant police presence in the area over the coming days and we will be working with partners to provide support to the local community. I would like to thank people for their co-operation as our investigation progresses.
“Anyone who believes they may have any information which could help our enquiries is asked to call 101, quoting reference 0713 of 10 August, 2022."
Many locals posted in social media groups and community pages about the heavy police presence as emergency services rushed to the scene.
In Dornie neighbour Amy Macrae, 28, looked out her window and couldn’t believe the commotion.
She said: “There were police with guns and balaclavas running about.
"It’s the kind of thing you see in big cities but you don't expect it out in the middle of nowhere.”
Amy had a day off work and was bombarded with calls from friends checking she was okay.
She said an air ambulance landed nearby.
She added: “I’m a bit shaken up. I hope they are going to be okay.”
Local MP Ian Blackford - who lives on Skye - said: "This is dreadful and shocking news - especially for a place like Skye and Lochalsh.
"I have been told that there is one fatality and three injured.
"I want to pay tribute to the emergency services, including the police and Scottish Ambulance Service, as well as the local authority. I understand the situation is under control."
SNP Westminster leader Mr Blackford, who represents Ross, Skye and Lochaber, added: "This is a very sad day.
"It is very concerning news and my thoughts are with all those affected.
Kate Forbes MSP said: “Today’s tragic news is simply devastating. This is the worst day that I can ever recall in the history of Skye and Lochalsh, and I can only hope we will never see another day like it again.
“I cannot begin to imagine what the family and friends who have lost a loved one are going through, and they should be in all our thoughts and prayers right now. We grieve with them.
“West Highland communities are close-knit, we are warm and welcoming, and this will shatter us to the core. It feels like our very heart has been ripped apart. I, and I am sure many others, never thought we would see such an awful day. Not a single West Highland home will be untouched by this terrible tragedy.
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“I would also like to thank Police Scotland and the other emergency services for their ongoing efforts and investigations. I stress again what the police have already said, a man has been arrested, there is no further threat to public safety and it is not believed to be a terrorist incident.”
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